Lesufi also revealed that there were 13 pupils facing criminal charges in various courts in the province.

"I sent our officials to court to establish the number of our learners who have appeared in court and the numbers are embarrassing. We are working with the court system so we can pick up if any of our learners are appearing in court. The learners also have to declare if they have appeared in court," Lesufi said.

A sombre moment hung over the school as pupils remembered Bakwela, who was allegedly stabbed to death by Mohamed Mwela, 20.

Lesufi repeated that the school environment was supposed to be a safe place.

"However, here we are bowing our heads in shame, giving a painful farewell to one that used to be part of us. Today, we are gathered here not to discuss academic programmes but to persuade learners to understand death. This is very sad ... our emotions are torn apart," he said.

Lesufi said a new school has been arranged for Mwela and plans have been made for him to write his three remaining mid-year examinations in the next seven days.

"Parents need to sit down with their children and teach them about what is wrong or right. The world is destroying the youth but our parents are doing nothing. There are several parents' meetings but parents fail to show up," Mashinini said.

Maki Motapane, a school governing body member, told pupils to discharge themselves from any group that will not add value to their lives.

"Parents have dreams for their kids [and that] is not to bury them," Motapane said.